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J. WAUGAMAN.

Dry Ore Washer.

Patented Nov. 23, 1880.

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JOHN WAUGAMAN, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

DRY-ORE WASH ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 234,826, dated November 23, 1880.

Application filed To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN \VAUGAMAN, of the city and county of Los Angeles, State of California, have invented a Dry-Washer for Auriferous Earth; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

The object of my invention is to separate from earth or gravel the gold contained therein without the use of water; and myimprove ments consist of certain combinations of screens and aprons with peculiarly-operated double bellows, furnishing an alternate airblast, by means of which the gold is separated from the earth or gravel, as is hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of my invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the same.

Let A represent the frame of the machine, securely fastened together by means of bolts.

On the main crankshaft Bis the cog-wheel O, meshing with the pinion O, for rotating the counter-shaft D, said counter-shaft carrying the pitman-crank E, fly-wheel F, and eccentric G.

The pitman H, connected with the crank E, is journaled at its lower end to the frame I, which frame is fastened to the lower side and end of the double oscillating bellows K. These bellows are secured on the under side remainder of the upper portion inside the inclosed frame of the machine being open, for the purpose hereinafter described.

The double-pitch bottom I) of the bellows, having also semicircular ends, are hinged at the middle with a hinge, 0, to a partition, d, which forms two air-chambers, e e, at each end of the double bellows.

L is an air-extension frame with beveled sides, to distribute the air equally'under all On one side of the frame is placed the double-pitch screen or sieve N, to which is imparted an end-shake motion by means of the pitman M, connecting with the eccentric G on the counter-shaft, said pitinan passing through the guide f of the frame. This double screen N is placed immediately under the feed-hop- January .21, 1880.

per T, and is intended to gravitate and distribute the fine auriferous earth, sand, or gravel.

The frame on which the wire screens are placed has a partition, g, in the center and riffles h h at each end to receive the coarse gold. The coarse gravel passes overthe screens and is discharged at opposite ends of the double screen. The opposite end ot'this double screen from the operating-pitman is supported by a sliding bar, 7., passing through a guide, Z.

An inclined chute, O, is placed within the frame and under the double screen N, to receive the screened earth and direct it to the head of the apron P, in which are placed the riffles m m to catch the gold. This apron consists of a lower frame, n, on which is stretched a fine wire sieve, 0, covered with cloth 1). The upper frame of the apron, g, on which the riffles m m are placed, is secured to the frame a by screws, which are marked and numbered for the purpose of removal to renew the cloth when worn out. The frame, with its riffles, keeps the cloth down on the wire screen. This apron, with its riffles and wire and cloth screen, is placed immediately over the air-extension frame L, so as to receive the air from the bellows over its whole lower surface. The apron is placed at a suitable angle to facilitate the flow of earth, and is secured to the sides of the frame by wedges Q, which are drawn out to remove the apron, when necessary, to clean up.

On the side of the machine is an opening, R, at the lower edge of the apron, for the discharge of debris.

S S are air-escape valves at each end of the bellows, to regulate the pressure of air according to the nature of the earth being worked.

The feed-hopper T is provided with a valve, S, operated by a lever, U, to regulate the feed of the auriferous earth to the screens.

The shaft, counter-shaft, gearing, and flywheel are all placed in a detachable frame, V, so that they maybe removed with the frame for transportation. This frame V is secured to the uprights of the main frame A by means of clips or straps t t, by means of pins or bolts to a.

A hinged door, W', incloses the space over the apron and prevents the escape of dust.

It will be seen that when the auriferous material is placed in the hopper it slides through onto the double oppositely-inclined screens, where the coarser material is discharged, these screens being given a shaking motion, as de scribed. The rifiies on this screen catch any nugget or coarse gold. The screened material falls onto the inclined chute, which directs it onto the inclined apron. The operation of the bellows by the means herein described causes a blast of air to impinge on the lower surface of the apron, which passes up through the cloth and blows the fine earth away, the heavier particles, such as gold, being caught on the riffles. This air-blast is regulated at will for various kinds of auriferous material.

It will be observed that the air-blast is not directed to any one point under the apron, but extends under its whole lower surface, giving an equal amount of air at all points.

The action of the double bellows and the central partition or diaphragm admits of an alternate blast on each side of the apron, the material being thus blown from side to side to insure proper separation. The angle of the apron directs the refuse off, while the precious particles are caught in the riffles.

In this way I am enabled to save very fine gold from earth or gravel without the use of any water, the blast of air answering as the medium by which the separation is effected. All the power necessary to drive the machine may be applied by one man at the crank, who also regulates the feed. After a ton or so is worked the apron is removed and cleaned, and the concentrated material is washed with quicksilver to save all the gold.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a dry ore-separator, the inclined screen 0 P, provided with riffles m, in combination with a pair of alternately-acting bellows having partition (1, arranged and operated directly beneath said screen, whereby the material on the screen is blown from side to side, as set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JOHN WAUGAMAN.

Witnesses:

H. K. S. OMILNARY, J. W. STUMP. 

